Japan has the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any country in the world, surpassing even France.

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has been world champion since 2013 and has the highest Elo rating in history.

The oldest known musical instrument is a flute carved from a vulture bone, found in Germany and dated to 40,000 years ago.

Traditional Japanese joinery uses no nails or adhesives — wooden pieces are cut to interlock perfectly.

Elvis Presley never wrote any of his own songs.

Beethoven continued composing music after becoming deaf.

In Greek mythology, the Fates (Moirai) spun, measured, and cut the thread of every mortal life.

More people die each year from hunger than from all forms of violence combined.

Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.